Child prostitution charges brought against state senator

"In light of the disturbing evidence and charges filed by the Cleveland County District Attorney's office, Senator Shortey should immediately resign from his seat", Sparks said.

"The task force is still working and is very productive, and the Moore Police Department participates in it", Valentine said.

Shortey's bond was set at $100,000.

Moore police have said they uncovered a series of electronic messages between Shortey and a 17-year-old boy using the messaging application Kik.

'We have reached out to Senator Shortey for comment and have not heard back from him at this time.

Shortey, R-Oklahoma City, faces charges of engaging in child prostitution, engaging in child prostitution within 1,000 feet of a church and transporting a minor for objective of prostitution. They said they found conversations between Shortey and the boy regarding sexual activities in exchange for money.

Police also reported finding an opened box of condoms in Shortey's backpack and a bottle of lotion in the teenager's backpack after confronting them at the Super 8 in Moore around 1 a.m. March 9.

The age of consent in Oklahoma is 16, but Oklahoma's prostitution statute applies to any person under 18 years old.

State prosecutors charged Shortey last week with three felony counts related to child prostitution.

Oklahoma state Sen. Ralph Shortey, R-Oklahoma City, speaks at a news conference in Oklahoma City April 29, 2015. "Remaining a member of the Senate is not an option for Sen". Among other things, it removes Shortey from membership and leadership of various Senate committees, bars him from occupying his office and reserved parking spot at the Capitol, blocks his expense allowances and authorship of bills, and revokes his right to have an executive assistant.

In a statement following its passage, Senate President Pro Tem Mike Schulz said it was not meant to be "a presumption of guilt or innocence". The Oklahoma Senate is fully cooperating with all authorities looking into this matter.